Chapter 25
"So you think you'll be able to defeat me." Ash, who is in the Dragon Prince's costume, is now battling Lance for training. Since Lance is one of the few who believes in his innocence, so he is also the one who gets to know the identity of the Dragon Prince and Dragon Princess.
After the battle is over, Lance shakes hands with Ash and says, "Good battle, Dragon Prince. I know I couldn't win against you."
"You're not bad yourself, as a Dragon Master, you're doing a good job training your Pokemon." Ash says.
After getting back to Alice, he gulps as he sees Alice glaring at Serena. Scared for Violet Depression, Ash decides to ask, "Why are you glaring at Serena?"
"Because we hate each other?" Alice asks. "She called me a faggot in this really insulting tone the other day before we get to Elmososha Town. Just because I have soft features does not mean I'm gay."
"She should have known that we're dating. But I guess she wants me so much that she refuses to admit it." Ash sighs.
Alice nods, she confesses that Serena is a beautiful woman, but obviously in a different way than her. There is a feeling inside Alice that Serena wants to be the Prince's Consort, something she could only achieve via marriage. She thinks, "I swear to Arceus, you won't leave this region alive, Kalos Queen Serena..."
After a while, Ash is back in the library as he is looking into the Galar Region's History books.
"Why are you searching on Galar history?" Ash jumps as he notices that his father is the one talking to him.
"Dad... I was trying to find anything related to the Silverlind Family in the Galar Region." Ash says. "You know about this family?"
"The Silverlind Family is famous because of a woman named Victoria Silverlind." Adam says. "She is an aura user and she is known for recovering from the Violet Depression. Something that Golly had in the past."
"Wait, what do you mean Golly had Violet Depression?" Ash asks.
"That was the real reason why she was killed when she was little." Adam sighs. "She got revived in a special way, so she doesn't have it anymore."
Ash thinks, "There's no way I am going to let Alice suffer the pain of death and then just revive her. That will be too painful for her to endure."
"I heard from Valerie about everything. Alice has it, right?" Adam asks.
"I love her so much that I don't want her to die. I am going to find any means to save her. That's why I've been trying to look for anything related to Victoria Silverlind." Ash says.
"Have you ever tried to ask the Gym Leaders or natives from the Galar Region?" Adam asks.
"I don't think they will want to help me. After all, they all believe that I'm a criminal for killing my mother." Ash says.
"I guess you're right about that. However, I know one person would be able to help you, only that she retired from the Gym Leader position..." Adam says.
"Wait, you don't mean her, right?" Ash asks.
"I see you know what I mean." Adam says. "However, I can only help you from here."
"It's fine, Dad. You helped me a lot." Ash says as Adam leaves the library.
"Here, Manaphy, open your mouth." Manaphy opens his mouth, and Alice feeds him a Pokepuff. Manaphy takes a bite and chews on it. Alice asks, "What do you think of it?"
"It is tasty!" Manaphy smiles, "I want more."
"I'm running out of them, and the other Pokemon need it." Alice pets Manaphy on the head, who pouts. As she wipes Manaphy's mouth, she says, "Don't worry, I'll go to town later to get more ingredients, and I can get more made by tomorrow. Remember, I'm the only one who can make Pokepuffs in the team."
"I understand, Mama." Manaphy goes for a hug, and Alice obliges. She has taken care of a baby Pokemon before but has never taken care of a Legendary who has a childlike personality. It wasn't hard to fall in love with Manaphy's charms, ever since Ash shows her the Pokemon, they have been spending time with each other, considering Water is close to Ice, her specialty, and she is also attached to the innocent little Pokemon.
"When would you and Papa get married so we'll be a happy family?" Manaphy asks.
"Manaphy, it is not that simple. Ash is still healing because the love he had is broken." Alice says.
"But if you don't do it, that means the mean honey blonde lady is going to steal Papa from you." Manaphy says. "I don't want that to happen."
"Don't worry, Manaphy, Ash won't try to fall in love with her again." Alice says. "But I'll try for your sake. Your Papa is the type to want someone to be by his side for a long, long time. Would you still want Mama, even if she isn't going to last any longer?"
"Yes, but Mama will have a long, long life ahead, and keep Papa company!" Manaphy nods vigorously.
Alice sighs, for some reason, day after day, she feels that her body is becoming weaker and weaker. Since she's a doctor herself, she tries to think of the disease that she has been suffering from, but she couldn't think of any. Not only that, she can't let anyone know, not even Ash. If he knows the truth, it will leave him very broken and she doesn't want that to happen.
When Alice and Manaphy are walking on the road, Alice mutters, "I wonder what will Ash do if he's in my shoes, huh..."
"So you DO know Ash!" Alice freezes as she turns to see Serena, along with Cynthia and Steven. Alice sighs and says, "We just went to the display in Elmososha Town, how didn't I know about him?"
"Well, you did mention that. But do you know where he is?" Steven asks.
"I admit that I lied to you back in the display. I know where he is." Alice says since there is no point in lying.
"Tell us where." Cynthia demands.
"I don't have to listen to you since this region is my domain." Alice replies.
"Then we'll make you tell us. If we win this, you will tell us, otherwise, I'm afraid that we have to brand you as an accomplice." Serena says as they send out Sylveon, Garchomp, and Metagross.
Alice curses a little as she can't believe they are trying to gang up on her three versus one. Alice says, "Manaphy, stand back. I'll handle this."
She takes out two Pokeballs and says, "Eiscue, Mimikyu, come out and help me."
When both Pokemon appear on the field, Alice knows that she is going to show them why she's as strong as Ash to become the Strongest Elite Four in this Sevestar Region. With the Disguise and the Ice Face ability, all three Pokemon are having a hard time trying to attack Mimikyu and Eiscue at the same time. When their abilities finally wear off, all of the Pokemon's health is less than half.
"She does have a good reason to be given the title of the Elite Leader." Steven comments.
"But those two don't seem to be her strongest Pokemon. How come we can't do anything to them?" Cynthia also laments a little.
"Forget how strong she is, we have to win this so that we can get Ash's location!" Serena says.
"Too bad for you, I will win this match." Alice thinks. "As the regional princess, I will defend the prince's honor."
When they fire Moonblast, Dragon Pulse, and Flash Cannon at the same time, Alice sighs as she shows the Z Ring and starts to do the Ghost Move. "Let me show you not to mess with me, or else I'll be your nightmare. Never Ending Nightmare!"
While Mimikyu is using shadowy hands to block the attacks and go after the three Pokemon, Alice also turns to Eiscue and says, "As for you, Eiscue, let's do with the Frozen Wave."
Eiscue summons the Surf attack and then freezes it with Blizzard. Both attacks hit three Pokemon and knocked them out, much to their shock.
"Is this all you've got?" Alice asks mockingly. "I expected better, seeing as all of you are Champions, and the Kalos Queen, and you all attacked my two Pokemon with your aces. What a disappointment."
Cynthia and Steven can only feel ashamed of themselves, but Serena just shoots her with a hostile look.
"Keep in mind that I don't owe you an answer to Ash's location, since we never met in person before this tournament was held. But I stand on the fact that I think Ash is innocent, and I will do whatever it takes to prove it." Alice says.
"In due time, don't blame us if he's guilty and you are charged for being an accomplice..." Serena says quietly.
"Witnesses are not exactly reliable sources. We look for evidence." Alice says.
"I have to agree with her on this one." Just then, they notice that Lance and Diantha are also there as they have seen the battle.
Diantha says, "That's why we vote yes for the trial to happen. Words from biased people are not reliable."
Serena is about to retort, but Cynthia says, "That's enough, Serena."
"Indeed, she did just defeat us, badgering her would be useless. We'll just see what happens in due time." Steven adds.
"A wise decision, Champion Steven." Alice says. "But since you lost, both of you owe me a favor each."
Cynthia and Steven can only nod since they just lost the battle, and they also demand Ash's location if they win, it will be fair to have something in return.
"Are you serious?" Serena can't believe what she's hearing.
"If you excuse me, I'll go heal my Pokemon." Alice says as she returns two Pokemon, and also has Manaphy back into her arms while leaving with Lance and Diantha, who has some questions to ask her. After the battle, Manaphy also makes sure that Serena never tries to do anything with his Papa, because Papa belongs to Mama.
Once they find Ash, who is chatting with Adam, Alice tells them everything that happened back in the battle. "Don't worry, Alice. I won't be mad at you for accidentally revealing my name to them. And besides, I'm glad you're able to win against two Champions and the Kalos Queen yourself."
"Really? You're not mad at me?" Alice is surprised.
"Of course. Manaphy wouldn't want me to be angry at you, right?" Ash asks.
"Yes, Papa." Manaphy says.
"So what are you going to do next now that they will try to pursue you for your location?" Diantha asks.
"Just act normal and do nothing to them." Ash says. "Also gather more evidence so that the trial can finally happen."
"So what were you guys doing?" Lance asks.
"We were just trying to find Opal's phone number." Adam says. "We have some things we need to ask her about it."
"Let me guess, the violet thing you didn't know what is it?" Alice asks.
"Yeah. Opal might have a clue and I would want to ask her about it. But not in a few days since we have the gym inspection to do."
"I guess Trenor is next, right?" Adam asks. "What are you going to do with it?"
"A perfect plan." Ash says with a smile.
And here is a new chapter, as you can see, Serena, Cynthia, and Steven try to force Alice to spill Ash's whereabouts, but they lose to her. I hope you like this chapter.